STAY IN THE KNOW: It’s Time to “Ditch the Vape” — New National Day Takes Aim at Youth Vaping
A new movement is asking young people, families, schools, and communities to take action against vaping—not just for one day, but all year long.
On September 8, 2026, the first Ditch the Vape Day was launched at Everett High School in Lansing, Michigan. The new annual initiative brings together schools, families, public health groups, and community organizations to focus on education, prevention, help with quitting, advocacy, and safe vape disposal.
Going forward, Ditch the Vape Day will be recognized on the first Tuesday after Labor Day each year. The goal is simple: help young people understand the risks of vaping and give them real support to make healthier choices.
One Call Helped Start a Movement
Dr. A’Lynne Boles Dukes, founder and CEO of ABD Advocacy Agency LLC, created Ditch the Vape Day after hearing concerns from Michigan schools about vaping among students.
She originally thought she would be speaking to high school students. Instead, she learned that schools were seeing an increase in vaping among middle school students.
That concern helped grow into a much larger movement. By launch day, communities in several states were showing interest.
Dr. Boles Dukes told News 10 that the request surprised her because she had prepared to talk with high school students: “Oh no. This is for middle schoolers.”
Listen to Young People
One important message from the launch was that adults must listen to youth.
Everett High School senior class president Xavier McKissic shared that adults should look deeper than simply telling young people not to vape. During the press conference, he urged adults to ask why youth start vaping and to keep young people involved in the conversation.
He told News 10, “don’t tell us why, ask yourselves why.”
Why This Matters to Black Communities
The African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC) is helping bring special attention to vaping and tobacco use among Black youth and young adults.
AATCLC educational materials shared for Ditch the Vape Day highlight concerns about vaping, hookah, little cigars, cigarillos, and using more than one tobacco product. The message is clear: “Nicotine use is changing, targeting hasn’t!” Watch the recap of the press conference.
This issue also fits directly with The SOL Project’s work to protect African American communities from tobacco, nicotine addiction, and secondhand smoke.
Ditch the Vape Day is meant to spark year-round action by helping communities improve prevention, connect young people with trusted resources, and build strong partnerships.
And there is another important message: don’t simply throw vapes in the trash. Vapes contain batteries and other materials that require safe disposal.
Ditch the Vape Day is more than one day. It is a call for parents, schools, health leaders, community organizations—and most importantly, young people—to work together for a healthier, vape-free future.
Watch/read the News 10 coverage of the inaugural Ditch the Vape Day
